Mexico plans national school cell phone regulations

Mexico is moving toward national regulation of mobile devices in schools. The Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) has announced a national consultation for over one million teachers, scheduled for August 24 and 25, to gather input on the responsible use of digital tools in classrooms.

President Claudia Sheinbaum noted that 16 states have already implemented some form of regulation. In Colima, the state congress recently approved a reform to the Education Law that restricts cell phone use in basic and upper secondary education to prevent distractions. This measure, set to take effect for the 2026-2027 school year, allows device use only for specific pedagogical activities, emergencies, or justified student support under teacher supervision.

Other states, including Nuevo León, have also moved toward setting limits rather than total bans. Governor Samuel García emphasized the need for boundaries to mitigate risks like cyberbullying and inappropriate content while acknowledging the educational benefits of technology. The federal goal is to establish guidelines that balance digital learning with student concentration and safety.